Beauty is often perceived as skin-deep. A way to follow those fleeting trends and enhance appearance. But what if makeup could be so much more? What if it could be a tool instead? One for confidence, self-expression, and creativity. This is the powerful vision behind T McDonald Cosmetics. Founded by Terry McDonald, an esthetician and professional makeup artist, the brand blends artistry and emotional wellness. Every product tells a story of empowerment and one that celebrates the uniqueness of the individual.

McDonald Cosmetics is a brand with heart and an undeniable belief that makeup is never about simply looking good; it’s about feeling good. It’s about reconnecting with yourself. And it’s about taking a moment to reflect and embrace your inner strengths. It’s a belief that shines clearly through the brand’s signature products. Including the vibrant Level Up Eyeshadow Palette for any art you want to create on your eyes. And the nourishing High Gloss Lip Kushion in the shade Vulnerable for a flawless, hydrating smile.

A Brand Rooted in Authenticity and Empowerment

Terry McDonald grew up in the Bronx, with strong Caribbean roots woven into her life with cultural richness and creativity. As a young child, Terry found joy and inner peace when styling hair, painting nails, and playing with makeup. The art of beauty became her form of self-expression. Over the years, she has built a career as an esthetician, makeup artist, and beauty educator, and along the way, she has gained experience with prestigious companies and has mentored aspiring artists. As a single mother of two, her children are her greatest motivators, reminding her of her own faith, resilience, and determination.

What really sets this brand apart, though, is her deep understanding of how beauty is deeply emotional. Sitting behind her makeup chair, her clients shared their personal stories, stories of heartbreak, of growth, and of transformation. Makeup was a process not only to change a look but also to embrace the healing power and confidence-building that makeup can bring. It was a revelation and inspired her to create a brand that recognizes how outer beauty can support emotional wellness and increase self-confidence.

T McDonald Cosmetics is an echo of Terry’s lived experiences, from her challenges to her triumphs and her unwavering commitment to uplifting others. The products are vegan and cruelty-free and designed for skin safety and outstanding performance. The product names are inspirational, drawn from personal experience, from Integrity and Redemption to Vulnerable. The brand’s empowerment is more than makeup; it’s a platform for transformation through self-love.

A Kaleidoscope of Creativity and Confidence

The Level Up Eyeshadow Palette is a star product from the brand and celebrates color and versatility with emotion. The palette was designed to help you “level up” your makeup with an expertly curated mix of mattes, shimmers, and metallics in shades that suit all skin tones.

The shades and the story behind the colors:

• Redemption: A shimmer rose copper, symbolizing renewal and fresh starts, this shade is perfect for highlighting inner corners and brightening the eyelids.
• Integrity: A vibrant matte purple embodies strength and authenticity in an unapologetically bold shade.
• S.A.M.: A matte burnt orange, and an everyday, elegant shade that’s warm and earthy. In the crease, it provides grounding and depth.
• Success: Metallic gold, a symbol of shining bright and achievement, adds instant glam to the eyes.
• Shadow Work: A deep navy matte evokes introspective looks. The intense navy adds dimension and depth, creating the perfect smoky eyes.
• Boundaries: Soft peach matte, reflecting the importance of personal space and protection, it’s a gentle blending shade helping to soften and define edges.
• Abundance: Bronze shimmer inspired by prosperity and gratitude, its radiant bronze imparts a natural glow and warmth.
• Purpose: Peach coral shimmer embodies motivation; it’s an uplifting shimmer that brightens the eyes.
• Vulnerable: Muted matte red is a symbol of emotional courage and openness, a muted but rich red that can be worn both soft and bold; it adds depth and accentuates the eyes’ outer corners.

Why Makeup Lovers Adore it

The Level Up Palette is richly pigmented and delivers a smooth, reliable, and blendable finish. Whether you’re creating a subtle everyday look or a bold nighttime glam look, it’s a combination of colors that lets you customize your mood and expression. The cruelty-free vegan formula is kind to animals and skin, making this palette not only kind to your eyes but beautiful and expressive.

Here’s What Customers Are Saying About T McDonald Cosmetics

“Love her and her work, very artistic, very professional, always early, comes prepared, great time management, will definitely book you for all my events!” Kay On The Rise

“Amazing work!!! Can’t say enough, Terry is professional and a pleasure to work with. As a designer, you want and need someone to take that vision, the ideas you have in mind, and bring them to life! When they are met and surpassed, there is an artistry to it. Terry is that MUA supreme! Corey Rogers

“She’s professional, outgoing, and shell slays your makeup flawlessly,” Johnathan Heath.

“Terry is an amazing makeup artist and person. She’s creative, and I’m always amazed by her work. Looking forward to working with her again.” Lori Bonadonna Priolo

Shine Meets Soulful Expression

Complementing the Level Up Eyeshadow Palette is the lip palette, the High Gloss Kushion in Vulnerable. This indulgent lip gloss hydrates and makes your lips shine. Among its shades, the Vulnerable stands out with an idyllic balance of softness and boldness.

Vulnerable is richly pigmented, muted red with plum undertones. It evokes feelings of strength and self-expression. With a signature “kusioned” applicator for a smooth, pillowy effect, it enhances your lips with a cushioned, glossy finish. The shade offers versatility and is the perfect everyday pop of color, layering over lipstick for a rich, luscious pop of shine.

Benefits and uses:

• Everyday wear: Perfect for daily confidence, the soft red hue adds freshness and a dash of color to your lips.
• Emotional power: Vulnerable is the name selected for this shade, as it represented courage and openness.
• Comfort and care: the Kushion formula is hydrating, lightweight, and infused with vegan oils to keep lips protected, soft, and shiny.
• Finishing touch: The shade Vulnerability adds an elegant and glossy finish that complements your mood and style effortlessly.

Beauty as a Pathway to Confidence

Terry’s personality and personal experience as a single mother, artist, and mentor are what truly make T McDonald Cosmetics unique. There is intention behind the products, and they blend in a harmony of beauty and emotional well-being. The formulations and shades have been designed to empower people to align with their truest selves while looking and feeling their best.

The brand’s strong representation for mentorship and education is opening doors for your creatives in the beauty industry. It’s this authenticity in its foundations that makes the products feel like more than makeup; they feel like tools in a toolkit of self-expression, healing, and growth.

The brand invites you to play and discover with makeup that goes beyond surface-level. The Level Up Eyeshadow Palette lets you play and create with colors that inspire emotion and confidence, while the creativity of the High Gloss Lip Kushion in Vulnerable invites emotional openness and grace in a nourishing, hydrating, shiny gloss. Together, these products honor your story and support you toward being yourself and feeling fully. When you wear T McDonald Cosmetics, you’re not just applying makeup; you’re embracing a shared philosophy that beauty can uplift and transform you. This is your journey, your story, your beauty.